Our Homeschool Studio

The World’s Greatest Stories come from the world’s greatest book – the Bible.  These audio stories feature the voice of talented actor George W. Sarris and some background effects–that’s all.  Taken word-for-word from the selected scripture (KJV or NIV), Mr. Sarris brings the stories to life.  These are not diluted, based on the Bible stories but the actual Scripture–nothing added and nothing left out.

My children love audio stories.  We usually listen to some selection a few times a week.  We have a set of tapes that are the Bible being read.  It is very monotone and can put the younger ones to sleep.  These CDs are not that way.  Mr. Sarris is truly a gifted actor and “becomes” the person being read about–whether it is Nebuchadnezzer with his powerful, angry tone or the drunken Belshazzar.  These dramatizations of Scripture will catch and keep your attention.  My children ask to listen to the one (overplayed) disc daily.  Because of their regular listening, they have memorized portions of Scripture (yay!).  They might know a watered-down version of some popular stories from other means, but no “meat”.  Through The World’s Greatest Stories, they are hiding the Word in their hearts.  That is priceless!

There are currently 6 volumes available in either CD or cassette for $7.95.  Both the KJV and NIV translations are available (individually).  Right now, you can get free shipping if you order 6 or more items.  You can check out what stories are included on each volume and hear a sample from this page.

We received a CD of Volume 1 The Prophets in KJV.  The selections included are chapters 3, 5, and 6 from Daniel, 1 Kings chapters 17 & 18 and the book of Jonah.  Can I say one more time, this is word for word Scripture–the whole chapter?  Can you tell I absolutely love that?  Check out other reviews on the Crew blog.

I received a copy of Volume 1 and a sampler CD from The World’s Greatest Stories for the purpose of review.  I was not required to write a positive review; the opinions expressed are my own.

We have been studying medieval history.  Most people don’t typically think of the medieval time period as offering much in the way of technology.  Compared to what is technology today, you might be right.  But consider siege warfare; the machines designed and used at that time were cutting-edge technology.  Catapults and trebuchets are the most well-known of the siege machines.  Studying these machines gives us the opportunity to bring science and math into our history studies in a hands-on (and fun!) way.

From Pitsco Education, we received the Trebuchet & Catapult Pack.  This pack contains a kit for building (obviously) both a trebuchet and a catapult.  Also included in the kit are the mass plates for the trebuchet, and a book on siege machines.  This kit is available for $21.95 and is only one of many offered by Pitsco featuring siege machines.  They even offer the clay (separately) to be used as ammo.  Please use the clay with younger children around especially.  Rocks are handy–and offer another variable for scientific comparison, but are a risk for injury.

This has been the favorite project of our school year so far–by every member of our family.  Daddy has been extremely involved in these studies–much to our delight.  It’s not that he doesn’t care or take part in our studies otherwise, but he is usually at work and not an active participant.  This has been a project I have happily let him take over.

We assembled the trebuchet first.  We have had a catapult so were familiar with that type of machine, how it works, etc.  We were wanting to see how it was different from the trebuchet.  You can read about these things, watch videos of them.  If you have the opportunity (at Ren-Faires, Punkin’ Chunkin’ Competitions, etc.) you may even see one close up.  Nothing compares to building your own, though.  You will understand much better how they work and what factors influence the outcome.

The directions were easy to follow.  The pieces easy to identify and pop out of the basswood.  There are some things you will need to have on hand for the construction–a strong glue, craft knife (like an X-acto), etc.  The hardest part for us was waiting for the glue to dry.  While all of my children enjoyed watching and helping with what they could, the kit is intended for middle school and older.  It is not a toy to just turn your children loose with.  Middle school age children (and older) can certainly do this on their own.  Either Daddy and/or I were involved with any activities–mostly because it was too much fun not to be.

While waiting, you can read about the history of these war machines in the included Siege Machines booklet.  The booklet also includes a list of additional resources (books, videos, etc) and learning extensions for science and math.  For the experiments and learning activities detailed in the Siege Machines booklet, there are additional supplies needed.  These take your hands-on history activity to a new level involving STEM subject materials.

I have recently been hearing more about STEM.  STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  These are my favorite subjects from my school days.  It has been fun incorporating these subjects in interesting new ways with our history/literature studies.  Pitsco Education has many items to use in your learning for all ages K and up.  Check out their website–order a catalog.  There will be something you want to add to your learning activities.

To read more reviews of this pack, check out the Crew blog.

I received this kit as a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew.  This review is my own opinion and not influenced by the receipt of free product.

I was so thrilled to have the chance to (finally) review this curriculum I’ve heard so much about.  We are an arty, creative type of family, so this should be right up our alley.  My children weren’t as thrilled.  ”You mean, we haven’t been doing art?” they cried.  For the most part, I don’t direct a formal art lesson.  The children have loads of time to draw/color/create what they want.  Because I was now instituting art as an official subject, they panicked.  Once we had done a few lessons, they realized, we were okay.  They actually got to paint–inside–and it wasn’t outdoors on a summer day.  There was very little mess–no more than the typical lunch spills, etc.  Yay!!!  ”Maybe Mama will let us paint more often.”  ”This art class thing is pretty cool!”  We took walks outside to observe and look for inspiration and ideas.

Artistic Pursuits makes teaching art so easy!  I thought about having my eldest daughter (5th grade) “teach” this to her siblings.  I didn’t because I wanted to join in (and I let her, too!).  The lessons are short, but meaningful.  The art shared for illustrating the idea being taught is first rate.  We liked that it is not the same art we have seen in every other “art” book.  We do artist studies (ala Charlotte Mason) and this does not compete with that at all.  There are examples from Van Gogh, Monet and other “known names”, but not because they are “a” Van Gogh, etc. but because they illustrate the lesson topic.

This first book in the K-3 level contains 32 lessons ranging from sketching and painting to sculpture and other work with clay.  There are some construction paper cut and paste activities–like Byzantine mosaics.  Along with learning what artists do, we learn what they see and where we find art.  The time span covered is from the earliest art found in ancient times (cave paintings) to the middle ages (medieval Illuminations).  There are 2 other books at this level.  Each book is $42.95 (plus S&H)

The customer service of Artistic Pursuits is awesome.  Prior to receiving our book, I received a letter indicating not only the supply list for the book, but specifically the items that would be need for the first lessons.  I was able to take that list with me and find nearly everything (not already in our own stash) at my local Meijer.  The only item we had to go to a specialty store (Hobby Lobby) for was the water color crayons.  These aren’t difficult or expensive to find, it just required a trip to a different town for me.  Don’t want to track everything down?  The great people at Artistic Pursuits have complete kits available with all those “arty” supplies you will need–including a tote to keep it all in.  The kit for level K-3 Book 1 is $85

I mentioned that my eldest daughter and I joined the three age appropriate learners for the lessons.  We did not feel this was “too young” for us.  If an older student wanted to complete the lessons in this book before getting into the more advanced ones, it would be easy enough to do the lessons more frequently.  The pace for my K-3rd graders is perfect.  As I’ve said, we are fairly arty, so my children “do” art daily.  Having a focused, intentional lesson once a week or so is great for them–without getting in the way of their personal creativity.  While the lessons use a specific media and/or technique, the project created is still very subjective.  Even though we all followed the same lessons, our projects looked different.

Artistic Pursuits offers curricula for a broad range of ages, from preschoolers through high school.  The books are non-consumable so you can use them again and again–great for a family of many.  Another of our favorite features is the student examples featured throughout.  My children loved seeing what other children, their age, did.  The lessons are to the learners.  Once they are older, you could make this independent work–but why?  This time spent together learning, creating is so much fun–and so short.  Join in with them and make some great memories–and great art.

Other Crew members received books from other levels.  To read their reviews check out the Crew blog for their links.

I received this book as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew in order to share this review.  These are my own opinions and not influenced by the receipt of free product.